Our August 19 webcast , “Local Business Listings: Straight Talk from the Data Providers” gives attendees an opportunity to learn more about how local online business listings work.

Local business listings are a critical part of any online marketing campaign. Businesses large and small are competing for consumer attention online — so it’s essential that local listings data is accurate and up to date. One incorrect phone number can translate into a huge opportunity loss.

There are three primary database providers of local business listing information: InfoUSA, Localeze/Amacai, and Acxiom, all of which provide the various search engines, directories, and vertical sites with local listing data. Each has its own process for validating business listings.

On our May 20 webcast “Local Listings Gone Wild!!,” Kelsey analyst Mike Boland discussed how the search engines get local search data, and the role that business listings play in local search advertising.

We’ll continue the topic on August 19. We’ve invited representatives from the three leading database providers to shed light on just how they acquire, maintain, and update local business listings online. Gregg Stewart, Senior Vice President of TMP Directional Marketing, will moderate an extended Q+A session, which will include questions submitted live and in advance of the presentation.

Register now — go ahead and ask those questions when you do!